An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart

Author:Ann H. Gabhart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
ISBN: 9781493423095
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2020-04-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

At the last stop before Hazard, Jamie stood up and walked down to the door to stretch his legs. They’d made multiple stops since Louisville, but generally the train was fast to empty out the people for the stop and pick up new passengers. This time they seemed to be delayed.

Jamie swung down off the train. He would have time to get back on when the conductor called “All aboard.” Right now the conductor was talking to a woman on the platform. Her back was to Jamie, but something about her made him think of Truda Danson. Except two children were clinging to this woman’s skirt. Truda didn’t have children.

“Are you sure this is the last stop before Hazard?” The woman had the little boy’s hand clutched in hers. She not only sounded very concerned, she sounded exactly like Truda Danson.

“Yes, ma’am. No more stops until Hazard.”

“Do you think you could be wrong about where Thomas is supposed to meet his family, Bonnie?” The woman looked down at the girl beside her.

Jamie had heard that everybody had a double somewhere, but this was more than a double. This was Truda Danson.

The little girl nodded. “They put a paper with it writ on it in his bag.”

Truda pulled something out of a bag the girl was holding and showed it to the conductor. “Is this where we are?”

“This is the place. Right as rain.” The man handed the paper back to Truda and looked around. “He’s where he’s supposed to be, but his people aren’t where they’re supposed to be. And sorry as I am about it, we can’t hold up the train any longer. We have a schedule to keep.”

“I’m very aware of that.” Truda’s voice rose. “But I can hardly leave a four-year-old child here alone, now, can I?”

“Then you’ll have to wait here with him or take him back on the train to wherever you are going.” The conductor matched Truda’s irritation.

“But I can’t stay here. This other child is expected in Hyden.”

Now Truda sounded near tears. Jamie couldn’t imagine the Truda Danson he knew ever dissolving in tears. Piper was the same way. Ready to fight. Never ready to cry.

He stepped over to them. “Miss Danson, is that really you?”

A mixture of surprise and relief flooded her face. “Jamie Russell, what in the world are you doing here?”

“I might ask you the same thing, but I’m on the way to interview Mary Breckinridge for a newspaper story.”

Her eyes narrowed on him. “Is that the only reason?”

He didn’t shy away from her look. “That’s the reason I’m giving, but seems you might need some help. How about I stay here with the boy until his family shows up? I can catch a train tomorrow.” He looked over at the conductor. “Will my ticket still be good?”

“If you help us out of this dilemma, I’ll see to it.” The man seemed relieved. “I don’t want the little fellow to miss his folks. Or the girl either.”

The boy hid his face against Truda’s skirt.

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